Complementary therapies which use needles or break the skin (including acupuncture)
You can give blood as long as:
1. the reason you had treatment doesn’t stop you giving blood, and
2. your treatment was performed by an NHS professional or a qualified healthcare professional
If you were treated by someone who was not a registered health care professional, you’ll have to wait four months before giving blood. Registered healthcare professionals include doctors, dentists, registered nurses, physiotherapists and others. Contact us if you’re not sure.
Body building drugs and tanning injections
- You must never give blood if you have ever injected (or been injected with) illegal or non-prescribed drugs, including body building drugs or tanning injections.
Platelet rich plasma facials (“Vampire” facials)
- You have to wait four months after a platelet rich plasma facial to give blood.
Colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy
- You have to wait four months after colonic irrigation or hydrotherapy before giving blood.
Herbal and homeopathic medicines / nutritional supplements
- You can usually give blood while taking these, provided you don’t have a medical condition that stops you.